Page 95 of Everything She Wanted

“Come on, let’s take a snap for the ’gram.” Rachel starts posing us in the full-length mirror she installed precisely for this purpose.

“I’ll tag you.” She starts clicking away. As she’s doing that, I remember Nick started following me a few weeks ago.

“Should I block Nick, the asshole?”

“No way. Let him see that you’re not affected by him and his shitty bad-boy moves.”

She’s right, and I feel better already. I will find the strength to move on from all of this and put it behind me. I follow her to our front door as my phone vibrates in my purse. I pull it out and glance at the screen.

“Rach, it’s my mom. I’m going to take this. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“Sure. Sounds good. I’ll bring the car out front.”

I give her a quick smile before swiping the green call button. “Hi Mom.”

“Tu ki kardi aa?” she asks, wondering what I’m up to.

“Just heading to the hall to meet Eshaan and his parents.”

“Today?”

“Yes. We’re going to finalize everything. I’ll send you photos.” I hover in the entryway.

“Do you have time now?”

“What is it, Mom?”

“You ordered your engagement lehenga, but did you get your set yet?”

“Not yet, but I still have time to pick something out. Don’t worry.” I open the door and step out into the hall. I’m not sure what this is about, but I know better than to rush my mom.

“Why don’t you wear my wedding set? I know it’s old-fashioned now, but you’ve loved it since you were a little girl.”

I lean back against the door and bring my hand to my neck, imagining what it would be like to wear that gorgeous piece of jewellery. The gold necklace and earrings my dad’s family had given to her so many years ago. So different from the fashion sets everyone wears now.

“Mom, really?”

“Yes. It would look so nice with your lehenga and I want you to have it. Your father always said he would give it to you on your wedding.”

I laugh even as a tear slips down my face. He’s thinking of me even now.

“Thank you, Mom. I would love to.”

“We’ve been waiting for this day for so long and now it will be even more special.”

I nod even though she can’t see me.

“Okay, you better go. Best not to keep Eshaan and his family waiting.” “Mom?”

“Yes, putt?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Nisha. Now go,” she says, her voice soft and tender like my own.

We walk through the hall doors where my Bhua Ji is already waiting for us. “You girls look beautiful,” she says in her British English lilt that reminds me so much of my dad.

“Thank you, Bhua Ji.” She wraps me in a hug, and then Rachel, too.